Downtown SLO petitions for more cops

Transient enforcement needed

The San Luis Obispo Downtown Association is petitioning the city to provide funding for two police officers assigned and dedicated to downtown. It said it wants them to help curb transient issues.

The City Council is meeting this Tuesday and will discuss the strategic budget direction, and homelessness is one of many topics to be covered. Mayor Jan Marx said they are considering all options.

Some business owners are split on the issue. “You’re talking maybe hiring another police officer, ninety thousand dollars a year and what to walk downtown. Give me ten thousand, I’ll walk downtown,” said Gene Francis.

The manager of Kwirkworld said, “I know not all of them are like that, but the few that were scary, I wouldn’t mind having cops here.”

The Downtown Association is also urging people to attend its strategic planning meeting on April 24. It will be held at the SLO Museum of Art between 6 and 8 p.m.